39 comments:

Tony, Tony, Tony...What an absolute masterpiece!!! If is was possible to mass produce that you've hit the jackpot, I reckon. But never mind "Mass Production", how about just "Limited Edition"? If not, there's definitely a great future for that very unique, one-of little boat as it goes down through the generations in Jessica's family. I'm sitting here staring at it and all I can think of is...I WANT ONE!!! I can't wait to see it finished. What an absolute gem! I love it!!!

04-12-10 @ 12:18Hi Tony,You are doing a great job on the model of EPL. Anxious to see the finished product. I'm really impressed on how you concentrate on detail. If you should decide to produce more, I would love to purchase one. Keep up the good work Tony, it's going to be a Masterpiece.

Tony the shipwright and soon to be rigger. It keeps looking more fantastic with every picture. I would love to see the look on Jessica’s face when she gets her first look at it. She will definitely be gobsmacked. Thanks for keeping us updated, Jonathan. I hope everyone is healing up O.K.

Hi all and especially Tony......!...*.................*........!.......*....................*.....////..\\\\\......*......*...............................///..@...@.\\\.....*....WOW!....................*..///.......L......\\\........................................///........0......\\\\....................................................____..........................................................\.......\______................................_____\..[]....[]..........\_____......................\___________________/...............TONY!!!!!! I LOVE your project and know Jesse will treasure it.You are amazing and I appreciate how many hours you must have worked on this"labour of love". Thanks for the update and can't wait to see her crowning glory..... SAILS!!!!!Thanks Jonathan for keeping us up to date ..Jesse is a truly deserving girl to have such loyal and devoted followers.Onwards to Sydney->

04-13-10 @ 00:32Hi Tony,On second thought, if you were to market this product the value of the first one would be greatly diminished. Whereas the first one, and hopefully the only one, put into Jessica's hands would be priceless, therefor I would withdraw my request....

Tony, I take my hat off to you! The model is looking absolutely fantastic! I have no doubt Jessica will be thrilled to bits when she receives this beautiful gift. Craftsmanship like this is rare thesedays, it's just fabulous.

Hi all, I hope everyone is going along ok and the injured are on the mend.

The "boat people" :) gathering in Sydney for the welcome home must be getting a tad excited now with Jess closer to home. How I'd love to be joining you! Can I request you post lots of photos here on Jonathans blog? ..... Plleeeaaassseee? :)That way at least we can enjoy seeing you all enjoying the gathering and the welcome home.

Of course Soldiers Mum, I'm certain there will be tons of film capturing Jesse's arrival, and indeed I'm sure I can speak on behalf of the other esteemed folk that there will be lots of photos published on this site.

Sally by the Bay, would you be kind enough to contact either myself or Faye and Max by email?

Thats it for now...todays special greetings go to Michael, 75, Kingwood WV and SaltyDog, Seattle xx

Thank you so much for the greeting, Collette. What a sweetheart you are.

Well, it sounds like Jessica has been going through some extremely tough weather, so we all need to send good vibes her way. Obviously, she doesn’t need our help for a successful trip, but it doesn’t hurt. Since she is so close to the finish lines, I think that I’m feeling more nervous for her than I have the entire trip. I just pray that no unforeseen and unavoidable major problems arise. So nothing but positive thoughts for her by everyone.

I’m so envious of all of you who will be in Sydney for Jessica’s arrival. Something that almost knocked my socks off was an email I received a couple of days ago from my oldest brother, who I recently visited. Unbeknown to me, he also has been following Jessica’s voyage. When he realized how closely I’ve been following and how much it means to me, he told me that he would send me the funds to fly to Sydney. I think that since he is realizing how short life really is, he told me that I would regret it in 10 years if I didn’t go. I know he’s right, but there are too many other obstacles right now for me to make travel arrangements in such a short time. What a nice offer it was by him, though.

Mark, it just about knocked me off my chair when I read "fly to Sydney" in your comments. What a fantastic gesture on your oldest brother's part to want to do this for you. I bet it would mean a lot to him.

I'm sitting here trying to think of what to say to get the message across to you to "JUST DO IT" without coming across as being presumptious, pushy or even inconsiderate to your current situation. Now I just feel really selfish because it's what I WANT to see happen. It would be so cool to have you on Polaris with us on THE day. If I could move mountains for you I would. Is it really impossible?

I'm going to be really daring now and end with....where there's a will there's a way!

You’re not pushy at all. In fact, just the opposite. I’m more than flattered that you’re pushing me and extending the invitation to join all of you on the Polaris of Belmont. Boy, do I feel a little pathetic, though. To think that Jessica can sail around the world in a little pink sailboat and I’m having a hard time finding a way to get on a Qantas flight to get to Sydney before she does. Unfortunately, one of the big obstacles is a darn thing called a job. I’m very fortunate to have it, but it’s one of those necessary evils that can sure get in the way of good times. The odds are very slim right now, but I don’t ever give up until I’ve taken my last breath.

Thanks, Sam. You’re not pushy, you’re very gracious. I’ll let you know if there is a ray of hope…..

G'day everyone, hope all's well in your neck of the woods. Did you see Jess on "Thursday Night Live", last night? I thought she looked tired poor kid. Little wonder after all she's been contending with. Here's hoping for that dreadful weather out there to settle down and she can make headway with smooth seas and a good wind.

The MOTH [Man Of The House :)] and I were discussing the courage and tenacity Jess has to be embarking on this adventure at her age. As we talked it hit me that in my own way, in another time [ 1967], for different reasons and nothing like Jess', I too stepped out in faith and courage also aged just 16.

Having grown up in the outback of our magnificent country, a life far removed from that which my city peers were living, the death of my mother when I was just 14,and the breakdown of the family unit, I caught a train to Sydney, fare paid and with just $3 in my pocket!

I guess one could say that was either gutsy or idiotic! LOL opinions aside, and I'm not interested in what others think anyway, lol ... I found work and accommodation, worked hard and saved and eventually went on to train as a nurse. We trained in hospitals in those days. :) Sydney in the late 60's was different to what it is now, but for a naive 16 year old from outback Oz, it held wonder and awe and excitement. Incredibly, despite some challenges and temptations and close calls, I survived very well and never once fell into disrepute or disadvantage! lol

So in my own way, I showed guts and courage back then at that young age in making choices for myself which were condemned by the adults around me, but which ultimately led me to a life richly lived.

Many have condemned Jess and her parents for allowing her to make this amazing voyage, but just as in my own experience; stepping out at a young age and pursuing my dreams, Jess too will only benefit, grow and become even stronger within, for having done so.

Julie and Roger are to be commended for supporting her and placing their faith and trust in their young daughter, and in themselves that they raised her so well. Roger said it so well, when being interviewed on TV, that to prevent Jess from embarking on this journey would be a far more detrimental thing, than to allow her to go and support her in her quest. [Words to that effect. Apologies for any inaccuracy in my quoting Roger! :)]

I think all too often young people are so underestimated, and unfairly so.

Now ... if only I still lived in Sydney! lolI'd be able to join you all on Polaris! :)

Georgia Guy just put me on to this wonderful "I'M A JESS-A-HOLIC" blogsite!! And here I though I had read every single one of Jesse's incoming comments (and my ophtamologist will vouch for it, as my eyes will never be the same . . . ) but, now I've found there's a whole 'nother dimension out here in blogland!!! What a find!!lBut, to get back to the reason Georgia Guy referred me here!

I CAN'T TALK WITH MY MOUTH HANGING OPEN LIKE IT IS, . . . BUT I CAN TYPE (BEING CAREFUL NOT TO DROOL ON MY LAPTOP'S KEYBOARD) . . . HOWEVER, NOW, I FIND I'M EVEN SPEECHLESS AFTER SEEING THESE PHOTOGRAPHS. AS SAM SAID (AND SHE'S ALWAY SO SPOT ON . . . AND SO ELOQUENT) . . . IT IS A REAL MASTERPIECE! AND LIKE SAM, I'M SURE WE ALL "WANT ONE" . . . BUT, UNLESS THAT WERE TO SOMEHOW BECOME POSSIBLE IN THE FUTURE, I'M JUST SO THRILLED TO HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE IT IN THE PHOTOGRAPHS, AND TO BE ABLE TO DOWNLOAD THEM TO LOOK AT, AND SHOW OTHERS, ANY TIME I WANT TO!!!

THANKS, TONY, FOR BEING INSPIRED BY JESSE TO CREATE THIS VERY SPECIAL PIECE OF ART TO COMMEMORATE HER HISTORIC CIRCUMNAVIGATION!!! YOU ARE NOW IN THE RANKS OF OUR DEAR SAM . . . AND A HANDFUL OF OTHERS WHO HAVE HONORED HER WITH THEIR TALENTS . . . THEIR WORDS, AND THEIR MUSIC!

AND, I AM SO HONORED TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF JUST KNOWING YOU ALL . . . WHAT AN AMAZING GROUP OF THE LOVELIEST PEOPLE ON THIS BIG, BEAUTIFUL, BLUE, MARBLE THAT JESSE IS ENCIRCLING WITH HER PINK NECKLACE!!! I SALUTE YOU ALL FOR EACH OF YOUR WONDERFUL CONTRIBUTIONS, AND FOR THE SINCERE LOVE AND CONCERN YOU HAVE EACH SHOWN TO OUR PLUCKY SAILOR GIRL!!! I'M SO THANKFUL FOR EVERYONE'S WILLINGNESS TO SEE HER THROUGH THIS ENTIRE INCREDIBLE VOYAGE!!

Magpie, it's so fantastic to hear from you I often wonder how you are doing. I hope you'll stay around for a while, even if you swoop on us, peck at us, or just sit in your tree and chortle!!

Welcome Carol, yes, we are somewhat of a Jesse sub-culture here, a little of this and a little of that. But always lots of fun. We can be verbose at times hehe!

Sam, you're a 'newsy' little devil...we never know what you are gonna come out with next!! You sure know how to deliver the 'wows'. But your generosity in 'spreading the word' is unsurpassed, thanks heaps.

BTW, those cookies almost broke my teeth they were so darn tough!!

Have a lonely day everyone, it's gorgeously sunny i Melbourne!Collette

O.K. With all of the pictures of your cats being posted, I have to stand up for the other species. Here’s a picture of the original “SaltyDog.” My best friend Ernie is now chasing tennis balls in the big doggie park in the sky. He was part Chocolate Lab and part Basset Hound. He definitely had more Lab than Basset in him as he loved boating and loved swimming. Unfortunately, he loved swimming the most, which made it a bit of a problem when I took him in the boat. I always had to fish him out of the drink.

You’re right, John. The low center of gravity did help him on the boat. And he loved boating as much as I do. I think the short legs came from the Basset in him. He really was an unusual dog, but as good natured as they come. I miss the little guy.

Hi everyone,Jessica continues to amaze me with her skills and fortitude. It is so exciting watching her approach Sydney. Exciting for all of us.

Tony - the model is magnificent.

Jessaholic get togethers are fun. We have all been inspired by young Jessica.

Ooops - that's a familiar smell .... food burning. Seems I've just burnt my dinner. Oh well. I wonder how Jessica cleans saucepans. I've been reading the blogs on Jessica's site and this one and forgot I was cooking. Oh well.

So I'm back tracking, dinner hasn't quite it the table yet....This Model that Tony's has been working on is a Masterpiece and I have had the chance to physically hold this in my hands, photographic proof is available, Tony you are a craftsman to the highest order and doing this just shows how you feel towards Jessica and her desire to follow a dream and for her parents to have the strength of character to allow there daughter to follow that dream....beautiful work Tony!

What a beautiful model, Tony! Great, great job!!!I have thousands of (much smaller) models, but made of lead, some are excellent, but this one looks so real, is so like Jesse's P.L.... I am in awe. It is somehow Ella's Pink Lady like she was when leaving Sydney, a tiny little boat with on board a little girl playing the part of the skipper.And now, the baby boat has grown up into an historical yacht, and the little girl (no man accepted to pass her a line) has blossomed in a true blue Captain and Master Mariner... Reminding of Alice in Wonderland, the tiny Jessica eating a (tough) cookie with "sailing around the world" printed on it, and growing, growing to a star sailor...